cjTL

iTrader: (2)

As the title says, this TL is my sister's 2004 ABP and it's a disaster. I have a 2005 SSM TL. My sister's 22nd birthday is coming up and I offered to detail her car for her...I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I went down to the garage earlier to see what I was up against and holy shit what a mess. I guess this is what two semesters at Purdue University can do?

So to the detailers around here, help me please. Suggest products. Suggest procedures. Suggest anything. I've been "detailing" some cars lately for a small profit, but never has one been this disgusting. Wow.

Here's the car. Not too bad, right?



And then this. This tells the story of the car. I'll let the pics do the talking now.































































Yeah. Help.

05_NBP_TL

iTrader: (1)

um, wow. Nice car but it looks like it went off-roading and then sat for a few years

Good luck with the detail

ofusball21

Well at least you have plenty of room for improvement! Good luck

csmeance

From what I can see:

Exterior:
P21S Wash or Chemical Guys Citrus Wash and Gloss will be good to help clean it up well, you may need to do 2 washes. OTC substitute: Dawn
The wheels will require some good wheel cleaner, Sonax has a new one that's pretty good, or you can go with the always good P21S Wheel Gel. OTC Substitute: Blackfire wheel cleaner
Glass: Stoners Invisible Glass + aquapel


Engine:
Various brushes and a good APC or P21S wash or Chemical Guys Citrus Wash and Gloss/Grime Reaper


Interior:
For the carpets, and extractor will be your friend. If you want something cheaper, tons of Folex and the always good Woolite Solution (6:1 water to woolite)
For the seats, leatherique is the best, if you want something cheaper, Woolite Solution followed up by some lexol conditioner
For the dash and vinyl trim, clean with woolite solution, then apply 303 Aerospace Protectant.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Can't wait to see some after pics.

slavver01

iTrader: (3)

wish my 03 abp was an 04. lol even in that shape.

but hey, the good thing is you can only improve from here on haha

exceldetail

I gather this is all done by hand?

PortlandRL

Wow dude...you're in for a fun ride with this one. The only real way to get that crap out of the gaps between the windows is to hit it with a pressure washer. Don't run it on full blast and use a wide fan spray attachment and you'll be fine.

Engine:
Meg's APC 4:1 or even Chemical Guys Grime Reaper 10:1 for that bad boy
If you want to go with a dressing, pick up some Stoner's Trim Shine

Interior:
Leatherique is a definite must-have if you want to get those seats back to the original color. I strongly recommend a leather brush, also.

I'll also echo the need for an extractor on the carpets and you might as well just replace the carpeted mats...those are just history.

I'm not sure if you're in to paint correction yet but if you are let me know and I can list some product recommendations for you.

NoLimitDeC

eeek.. my sister is the same way!! good luck bro!

crazyasiantl

iTrader: (7)

wow, good luck

NJ SHAWD

Maybe you should give her something she might appreciate instead? I don't think anyone that would appreciate how much effort required for a good detailing, would have let the car go that far to begin with. Sorry man, just a thought.

1StGenCL

My thoughts exactly. I do my mom and sister's cars all the time and they just go 'oh looks nice." they have no idea what it takes to get it to the oh it's nice stage and therefore quickly trash it again and don't really care :-/

Don't get me wrong, I know they appreciate it but don't understand all the work that goes into it

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

Pretty much. Guess that's what happens when it's parked at a college campus all year, not even washed ever. Maybe once or twice she said. WTF.

Haha for real. Thanks.

I tackled the engine today. See pics below. Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to have to look into the woolite idea. I googled it and it seems like it's a really good cleaner.

Ha you do not. It's disgusting. I'm calling this detail job a "restoration" now. Also, her TL drives like total shit. And has more rattles than a GM car.


Yessir.

Thank you very much for all those suggestions. I need to order some leatherique...now. Can it be bought in any stores?

I swear...how dumb do you have to be to neglect a car this bad? I mean she is a blonde, but still.

I thought about that but it's more for the sake of my sanity. I can't stand to freaking look at her car and I love detailing. I can spend all day on a car and never get bored. I guess it's just an added bonus that it's her car and I'm doing it for her birthday.

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

Alright guys. I have this car for a week as my sister is out of town, so I'm taking it one step at a time. I tackled the engine bay today. What a freaking piece of work. Lord.

So for reference, here's a before shot.


And after! Ignore the streaks on the battery cover. Water had just dripped from opening the hood and I wiped it off and it hadn't dried. But much better..

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Nice engine recovery....best of luck with the rest!



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alann

wow looks good man! 99999x better than before

Morrissey25

iTrader: (4)

Wow... real good job with the engine bay... Good luck with the rest

Timb227

iTrader: (3)

WOW...good luck. The engine bay is lookin good though! At least she had an air freshener

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

Thanks guys. I'm going to work on the wheels and wheel wells tonight. Hopefully I'll post some pics later.

HA right an air freshner that's been in there since last fall. And who even puts them on the parking brake?? Her I guess. If I have one in my car, I normally hang it from the turn signal stalk.

NJ SHAWD

WOW, great job!

dmassott

I actually love when i get cars like this..gives you a huge feeling of accomplishment when your done!

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

CJ-I hope your sister appreciates the work you're putting into her TL.



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cjTL

iTrader: (2)

Thanks.

I agree totally. I already like seeing the progress. Taking pictures along the way helps too.

Haha she does. I've been sending her before and after pics and she really loves it.

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

Alright guys, tackled the nasty wheels today. Used some super strong degreaser from O'Reilly and it melted the crap off the wheels.

Before.


After.


All that rust on the brakes is there to stay.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Holy hell what a project! Looks like you are making steady process in the right direction. Did she have any idea it was that bad?

crazyasiantl

iTrader: (7)

nice recovery. hope the rest comes out good for you

Disbe

iTrader: (1)

At first i thought she had the wheels painted gunmetal till i saw the last wheel pic :X

1StGenCL

Of your blonde sister that is...

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

Tonight:

Used woolite on the leather, dash, and plastics. Started at 5:30 and finished up about 20 minutes ago. Not going to post pics as the interior is still pretty nasty. And I still need to treat the seats with lexol cleaner/conditioner. Blah this car is a bitch.

Yeah is right. I feel like she's just clueless about it. Ever since I got my car, she's been jealous and claims that it looks "better" than hers. Well obviously..

I told her I was going to detail her car for her birthday/Purdue graduation present and she got really excited. And simply said "good luck..."

Thanks man.

Hahaha yeah gunmetal from the brake dust. Nasty. It was caked on them pretty well.

Ha go to the 3G TL "Pictures of us" thread. I have a pic with me and my sisters on the very last page I think.

images

iTrader: (2)

just show her this thread when you're done so she can see how drastic the changes are

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Is she paying you for your troubles? If she does this again to the car-I'd hate to be her.



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SpiderX1016

I'd be embarrassed to drive that lol. Good luck.

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

Nope. Simply my goodwill for her birthday/graduation present. It actually cost me money to do this car when you factor in supply costs. Ugh.

Haha no need to wish me luck- I finished it today. Here's a teaser shot.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Looking good man! I can't wait to see the other pictures

PortlandRL

Wow...talk about a tease! Can't wait to see the finished result!

MD03CL-S

iTrader: (1)

Fantastic turnaround

alann

damn show us the final results!

Morrissey25

iTrader: (4)

Holy shit... More shots please...

paz840

iTrader: (2)

Nice work! Looking forward to the rest of the pics.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Teaser pic????? CJ, you're killing me-I can't wait to see the rest of the picture. Get them up there son!



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